Monday, December 8, 2014

Let's Talk Exfoliation

Why you should be doing it

Having any of these issues lately???

-acne

-wrinkles

-fine lines

-age spots

-large pores

-oily skin

-dry skin

-pitted skin

-black heads

-white heads

-splotchy skin

-blah skin in general

Chances are you have at least one of these issues! There is one VERY simple fix. It doesn't require going to the dermatologist, spending tons of money, or getting invasive treatments. It simply requires you to do a simple at home exfoliation at the LEAST - 2 times a week. That's it. Most of your skin ailments can simply be buffed, polished, or scrubbed away. Yep, they truly can. Your skin is constantly generating new skin cells, so the old ones HAVE to be exfoliated away. Otherwise a buildup of dead cells sits on the surface of your face and it ain't pretty!! I hear lots of people say over exfoliating is bad for your skin and you need long breaks in between - not true. If you do it gently, and correctly you will see quick and amazing results that will instantly prove this theory wrong!I personally exfoliate pretty much every day in some shape or form. Some days are more gentle than other days, but I am constantly getting rid of dead skin buildup.Here is what I am personally doing to exfoliate and some other options as well! Kiehl's Deep Pore Daily Cleanser- I use this every day to exfoliate and detox. It looks like a white clay face mask that suds just a bit. This is my go to face wash. I use this on my beauty buffs and clarisonic (see below).

Murad Skin Smoothing Polish - this is for a deep exfoliation. I use this once or twice a week. It is a very concentrated thick scrub. The beads are very fine and smooth.

Tretinoin Cream 0.025% - The last 2 weeks I have gone back to using Retin-A (Tretinoin). It is currently the only product approved by the FDA to reduce wrinkles (and acne, blackheads, sun damage, dark spots, sagging, and so many other things...) This is exfoliation on another level! It increases your cell turnover at a rapid rate, stimulates collagen production, and exfoliates the top layers of skin.

I was using Obagi Retinol before this and it just wasn't powerful enough. I think it really made the transition to the Retin-A much easier since I had been using the Retinol for months. I am starting off with the lowest dose at 0.025%. I will eventually increase this. I use this every other night. So far I have experienced minimum peeling and no redness. I buy this at a local med spa without a doctor appointment. Depending on where you live you may or may not be able to do the same. If you get a prescription from your dermatologist, I would recommend going with the generic version to save money! They ALL have the same active ingredient. Since my skin is sloughing off quickly now, the 2 tools below are a must have!!

Ulta Beauty Buff Teardrop Sponges - I use these every night. Scrub very gently! Since I have some peeling with the Retin-A it is the only way I can really slough off the dead skin. I use one sponge for a week and then toss! I buy the 6 pack from Ulta. Even if you aren't using anything that is making you peel like I am- I highly recommend these! My sister was breaking out like crazy. Once I recommended these to her - her skin cleared up in 2 days! Dead skin cells and no exfoliation = breakouts!

Supracor Stimullte Bath Mit- Don't forget to exfoliate your body! This is my absolute favorite way to exfoliate my body! I use this every couple of days. It is amazing to use before self tanning! Not to mention you can use it dry to stimulate the lymph system and release toxins that produce cellulite. There is some serious science behind this bonded honeycomb! I would highly recommend browsing their website - they have all kinds of innovative and amazing products! I got this as a gift from a family member and have been obsessed with this company ever since. My favorite thing about this is that it is antimicrobial. Germs be gone!

Clarisonic Mia- Buffing pads not for you? Clarisonic is always a great option! I don't use mine as often as I should but I always feel super clean and polished afterwards. I bought the Mia because it was the cheapest and I never used all of the different settings on the Pro.

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub- This is also a great facewash if you have problems with acne or blackheads. This contains 2% Salicylic Acid. This will help cell turnover and the beads will gently exfoliate without irritating inflamed skin. I really love this facewash and know several people that swear by it. I use this in conjunction with my Kiehl's.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum- This is a great alternative to a Retin-A prescription. It has the same active ingredients as the expensive Retinols at an affordable $22.99. It is one of the very best Retinols available in drug stores.